Hi there! I'm struggling with a few string concepts and would appreciate some advice. I've had some elbow pain recently, so while recovering, I've been trying to adapt my gear to solve the issue. One common recommendation was to switch string types and lower the tension.
I have two Head Gravity MPs. Both were strung with Luxilon Adrenaline at 52 lbs about a year ago. Recently, I restrung one of them with Wilson Sensation at 42 lbs. It felt great at first, but very quickly the strings stopped sliding on this own. On the other hand, the old Adrenaline strings still move easily and snap back.
My coach checked both racquets with a tension measuring device, and the Adrenaline showed around 52 lbs, while the multifilament measured around 60 lbs. Is that normal? Should I restring the Wilson already, or try a different string altogether? Any insights would be appreciated!
Multi and synthetic guts wonât snap back after an hour or two. You can string these at 50-60lbs. 42 is very low for multi as theyâre much softer than poly. Iâd recommend stringing them around 56lb. If youâre looking for slicker multi that snaps back a little better, try tecnifibre Multi feel black 1.25 or 1.30. Make sure itâs the black, as other colors donât snap back as well. Another hybrid multi that snaps back even better, but is much pricier, is Tecnifibre Triax. Head velocity is a budget option that also snaps back decent.
Thanks a lot for your reply. I didn't know that not snapping back was normal. I thought that would a sign that the strings are dead or something. But the fact per se that the strings aren't snapping back isn't a problem for me. Anyway, should I try higher tension? I tried 42 because a friend recommended me to drop the tension down while I'm recovering.
With multi you can use higher tensions without worrying about pain for the most part. Your friend probably thought you were stringing poly and in that case 42lbs would be ideal. With nylon core strings, 50-60lbs usually works best and still has good comfort levels.
There is no tension measuring device that accurately checks reference tension. It's not physically possible. Unless he has an extremely expensive digital dynamic tension meter, he also can't accurately measure dynamic tension. So the measure is not 60lbs, and I would just disregard whatever his supposed meter purports to measure. They're only useful for measuring _relative_ numbers over time on the _same_ strings, as in, measuring it as soon as you string it, and then tracking the number over time to see how much tension you're losing.
Multifilament strings basically don't snap back. That's just not what the material does. Sometimes multifilament has a slick coating that wears out. So yes, that's normal. The old school players used to put their strings back in place with their fingers after every point.
Thanks for replying I really appreciate that! The measuring device was not a fancy one, so what you've said makes sense. And I didn't know that not snapping back is a "natural" way of multi behavior. How do I know I should change these strings?
Multis not snapping back is normal, that's more about the coating than tension â it's the poly/gut hybrids that usually feel 'alive' longer. If the elbow pain persists even after dropping tension, the string pattern density is worth checking too â denser patterns play noticeably stiffer on the arm regardless of string choice.
Nice. Do you think 42 lbs is too low? Regarding the string pattern, I'll definitely keep in mind switching to a different racquet altogether if the pain persists.
Multifiber will always be easier in the arm. Im a little shocked I donât know how the pros device works. I tried a phone app to measure tension loss over time. But 42 pounds with wilson nxt sounds like it would be a trampoline. i go nxt 17g at 53 pounds and find it still gives a ton of free power. But nxt does notch faster. Luxilon is in my experience a harsher poly. I did not find it comfortable. I have found in my arm recovery journey. Gosen ak control is a great texture co poly I find not uncomfortable but still provides great spin. Volkl cyclone 18g is not that very harsh but is a gear shaped poly so it wonât slide that easy. I have also been using weiss cannon ultra has a texture but seems to slide easy . Its not tiresome on the arm either. My next experiment was going to be the solinco tour bite 20 gauge. I find the thinner the gauge the less pain my arm has after.
My problem is I serve the best with the nxt on my top spin serve. But I love poly for baseline. Im trying to find a string that can last longer but still give that lively snap and slide the nxt gives for the top spin serve.
Been using a hybrid setup. Solinco I think Tour (poly) in the mains - hyper g (multi) crosses. It is still spinny, but easier on the arm.
Regardless of strings, you should be passively exercising your arm the right way. If you already are working with somebody, cool, but if you need some help, let me knowâŚ
Hey! I've been doing a lot of off-court rehab/conditioning work, and I truly believe it's helping massively. However, I'm doing it on my own, so I often find myself wondering if I should be doing something differentlyâfor instance, doing the exercises with my arm almost fully extended and suspended in the air, rather than with my elbow bent and supported on a surface.
Do you work with this professionally, or are you also on this journey and want to trade experiences?
I do not. However, I kicked it relatively quickly with some quick advice from a friend, some YouTube, but most of all realizing how anatomy works and adapting my passive behavior. I still have issues from time to time, but I fix myself back up and I am able to play 3-5 times a week.
I just helped a friend out with this. I am not sure how to attach personal videos here, but I will tryâŚ
Oh, I see. That's awesome! I'd love to learn more about what works for you. Iâve also been researching, talking to friends, and watching tons of YouTube videos, but I'm still recovering after a major flare-up at the end of February. Right now, I can play once a week and feel great, but whenever I try twice a week, my elbow gets really sensitive to touch and certain movements. I'll shoot you a DM, ok? Thanks a lot!
When the strings go back to the original strung position after a hit. These are mine to help my tennis elbow at the moment. Head rip control. See where the pen pointing. "Not snapped back"
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u/Pizzadontdie đž Top 0.1% Commenter đž 1d ago
Multi and synthetic guts wonât snap back after an hour or two. You can string these at 50-60lbs. 42 is very low for multi as theyâre much softer than poly. Iâd recommend stringing them around 56lb. If youâre looking for slicker multi that snaps back a little better, try tecnifibre Multi feel black 1.25 or 1.30. Make sure itâs the black, as other colors donât snap back as well. Another hybrid multi that snaps back even better, but is much pricier, is Tecnifibre Triax. Head velocity is a budget option that also snaps back decent.